SACS Accreditation

3.8.2 Instruction in Library Use

Comprehensive Standard: The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources.

X  Compliance
     Partial Compliance
     Non-Compliance

GSU librarians teach “information retrieval and evaluation using current and emerging technologies” — another part of the mission of the University Library.  Addressing national standards, the Instruction Coordinator, liaison librarians and Learning Commons librarians, have also developed a set of information literacy standards [1] which help frame library instruction sessions and initiatives.  Instruction is delivered through classroom sessions, through individual consultations and reference assistance, and  through self-paced online tutorials and research guides.

In the 2005-2006 fiscal year, librarians at GSU taught 365 classes, reaching 7,257 students, a 1.7% increase from the previous year in the number of classes taught, and a 10.5% increase in the number of students receiving library instruction. Although the vast majority of instruction sessions were delivered to undergraduates (228 sessions for 5,118 students), the number of graduate sessions increased as well. Archivists in Special Collections also taught 13 research-intensive classes in this year, with a total of 178 students.

The liaison librarians have also actively sought to increase their involvement in research intensive courses in their respective departments. Library instruction sessions with these classes have included: developing research strategies; identifying, locating, and evaluating primary and secondary resource materials (including government documents); advanced database search strategies; locating and analyzing industry and company reports; locating and analyzing demographics information, and market and consumer data and surveys; and instruction in how to conduct literature reviews. The liaisons, in particular, provide customized classes, workshops, and other instructional activities based on the specific needs of their departments.

In addition to instruction for graduate and undergraduate students, GSU librarians have participated in faculty orientations, and have offered instruction sessions and access to resources to external groups including several local high school groups. Librarians also teach for-credit courses such as GSU 1010 (New Student Orientation) and PERS 2001 (Perspectives on Comparative Culture).

Additionally, library instruction is available, as needed, through online tutorials and online research guides. The Instruction Coordinator, liaisons, and Learning Commons librarians have developed and continue to develop online interactive tutorials [2]  which teach basic search skills. The modules focus on keyword, author, and title searching in the catalog, and database searching techniques. Completed modules thus far include learning objectives, and an assessment instrument. One set of online tutorials developed by GSU librarians and support staff, PORT (Psychology Online Research Tutorial), was recognized in 2005 by the Instruction Section of the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL) for inclusion in its database of peer-reviewed, online instructional materials [3].

Thirty-nine subject-specific research guides which direct students to core databases, print and online reference sources at GSU, and other reliable online resources are available for student access.  These Online Research Guides [4] are among the most heavily used resources on the library website, according to data collected though WebTrends.

The increasing number of instruction sessions and students reached in recent years  suggests the effectiveness, stability and value of the University Library’s instruction program. The success of the instruction program is also monitored in the Library’s Institutional Effectiveness Report  (Outcome 2 - Patrons have the support they need for learning and research [5]) which measures success based on increasing usage statistics and data collected through LibQUAL+ survey questions about information literacy which have met and exceeded a target mean score of 6 for the last two surveys.

The Law Librarians teach a one-hour credit course in Legal Research in the fall. The Law Librarians also teach a two-hour credit course in Advanced Legal Research each semester. Additionally, the librarians provide tours and instruction to both undergraduate, graduate, and law classes. [6,7,8]

University Library

1. Information Literacy Standards
2. Online Library Tutorials
3. PRIMO
4. Online Research Guides
5. University Library Institutional Effectiveness Documents, including WEAVE

Law Library

6. Law Library Research Guides
7. Online Bibliographies
8. College of Law Faculty Publications